Cellular PVC Windows

Cellular PVC is a material that is used for replacement windows - it is an economic choice for budget-minded homeowners. Regular PVC is a thermoplastic polymer, and has become a popular building material because it is durable, inexpensive, and easy to fabricate. Cellular PVC, while still relatively new, is rapidly becoming even more popular because it is half the density of regular PVC, weighs about the same as softwood, and has a tensile strength of up to 5,000 PSI.

What is cellular PVC? - Cellular PVC is a solid, foam-extruded material that expands as it cools and hardens. The foam extrusion process creates air bubbles that help to make cellular PVC lighter and stronger than most other materials. For instance, it is 140% stronger than vinyl, which makes it more stable. That stability means it can compete with cellular pvc frames for large windows. It's also a 214% better insulator than vinyl.

Similar to wood - Cellular PVC has wood-like characteristics that also make it a popular choice. It can be milled, and since it has the appearance of real wood, it is used to produce trim, paneling, windows, doors, blinds, and even furniture. It is a 60% better insulator than wood, and it won't succumb to the weathering or insect-related issues of wood.

Other benefits - Cellular PVC can withstand heat to 150F, won't absorb paint, and doesn't expand or contract in response to the weather. In fact, cellular PVC is guaranteed not to swell, rot, warp, bend, crack, splinter, or stick. It can bend to accommodate curved forms such as arches. It is a durable, cost-efficient, low-to-no-maintenance option that is an excellent alternative to traditional wood, and an improvement over vinyl. Not just in strength – cellular PVC is also a 214% better insulator than vinyl.

Availability - Cellular PVC typically comes in white, and while it doesn't have to be painted, it can be. As it resists paint absorption, unlike wood, it requires less paint and thus less effort and cost. If using darker colors (an L value of 56 to 0), choosing a heat reflective paint is recommended.

Cellular PVC windows are available in all-cellular form, or as a cellular PVC-clad wood window. The clad version offers a wood interior frame in a variety of wood types and finishes, which allows homeowners to match their interior trim to their décor and to stain or paint the trim easily.